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Friday, August 21, 2015

Broccoli Blue Cheese Soup

Broccoli and cheese compliment each other. Over the years I've made steamed broccoli with a mustard-Cheddar cheese sauce (also good on steamed cauliflower). I've often made Broccoli soup with Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses.But several years ago at a new local eatery, the soup of the day was Broccoli Gorgonzola Soup. Naive me, I had to ask what that was! It's now my favorite way to enjoy broccoli soup.It can be made with fresh or frozen broccoli. Try it for a nice first course or appetizer, or a meal by itself with a salad or sandwich.I buy broccoli when in season or on sale then blanch and freeze, or look for sales on frozen bags of chopped broccoli. It's handy to have on hand for a side veggie, a quiche, or a stir fry.Broccoli Blue Cheese Soup

3 Tabs.butter2poundsbroccoli florets roughly chopped into 1-inch pieces1cup chopped onion2 tsps. minced garlic1-1/2tsps.dry mustardpinchcayenne pepper1 tsp. salt3 - 4cupswater2cups chicken broth4 - 5ounces of crumbled blue cheese, or more to taste1/2 to 3/4 cup of heavy creampepper to tasteGarnish with croutons and/or grated Parmesan or blue cheese crumblesHeat butter in large soup pan or Dutch oven on medium-high heat. Add broccoli, onion, garlic, dry mustard, cayenne, and salt. Cook about 10 minutes. Add 3 cups water and 2 cups of broth, stir then cover and simmer until broccoli is soft, about 30 minutes. In batches process soup in a blender or use an immersion wand to process until smooth. Return to pot and simmer adding cream and cheese stirring until melted and smooth. Adjust desired thickness of soup with up to 1 more cup of water. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with garnish of croutons and more cheese. Makes 2 quarts, 6 - 8 servings.

Estimated cost $5 or less; $2.40 or less a quart; .40 cents a serving or less.

About Me

Born in Chicago, graduated Willowbrook High, then NIU and moved to Oregon in 1967. President AOII Sorority, 1964-1965. Taught 5th/6th grade, then journalist/editor North Bend News, Prime Time newspapers. Retired. Twitter: theal2